September 2014
Highlights of this Issue
Parliamentary Standing Committees constituted for 2014-15 (p. 2)
Some subjects identified by the committees include DBT scheme, review of Electricity Act, 2003, Tax Reforms,
BPL survey and review of SEBI and IRDA.
Supreme Court cancels the allocation of all but four coal blocks (p. 2)
The coal blocks allocated to the Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPPs) of Moher and Moher Amroli, SAIL‟s Tarsa
mines and Pakri-Barwadih mines of NTPC have not been cancelled.
CAD in first quarter of 2014-15 is USD 14 billion lower that last year(p. 4)
The Current Account Deficit (CAD) for the first quarter of 2014-15 stood at USD 8 billion, while capital account
surplus stood at USD 20 billion.
Draft Road Transport and Safety Bill, 2014 invites comments (p. 7)
The Bill establishes a new regulatory authority, creates a unified licensing system and increases penalties.
Estimated production of Kharif crops falls by 6.9%, rainfall deficit at 11% (p. 8)
The estimated production of major crops is lower by 8.97 million tonnes as compared to 2013-14.
State visits with Japan, Australia, China and United States (p. 9)
Agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed with Japan, Australia and China on several issues,
including nuclear safety, customs offences, and city-to-city partnerships.
October 1, 2014
PRS Legislative Research Institute for Policy Research Studies
3rd Floor, Gandharva Mahavidyalaya 212, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg New Delhi – 110002
Tel: (011) 43434035-36, 23234801-02 www.prsindia.org
Monthly Policy Review – September 2014 PRS Legislative Research
Land
Energy
Joyita Ghose (joyita@prsindia.org)
Saumya Vaishnava (saumya@prsindia.org)
Rules for Land Acquisition Act, 2013
Supreme Court cancels the coal block notified
allocation of all but four coal blocks
The Right to Fair Compensation and
On September 24, 2014, the Supreme Court Transparency in Land Acquisition,
cancelled the allocation of all but four coal Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Social Impact
blocks. and Consent) Rules, 2014 were published on
On August 25, 2014, the Supreme Court held as August 8, 2014.3
illegal all coal block allocations made by the The Act regulates the process of acquiring land
central government since 1993.2 For details of for public purpose.4 It requires that a Social
the August 25 judgment, see here. Of the coal Impact Assessment (SIA) be conducted before
block allocations declared illegal, 40 coal blocks acquiring land. The Rules outline the process of
are producing coal (two of which are Ultra Mega conducting an SIA.
Power Projects (UMPPs)). Another six coal
blocks are ready to start production. The Act requires that the consent of land owners
be obtained prior to the acquisition of their land,
Subsequently the Court was examining what was in some cases. Consent of 80% of land owners is
to be done with these coal blocks. It decided: required for the acquisition of land for private
Of the 40 coal blocks in production, the projects and 70% of land owners for public-
allocation of 37 coal blocks was cancelled. private partnerships. No consent is required for
The remaining three coal blocks are UMPP acquisition for government projects. The Rules
projects in Moher and Moher Amroli, and outline the process of obtaining the consent of
the Tasra mines with the Steel Authority of land owners.
India Ltd. Social Impact Assessment:
Of the six coal blocks ready to produce, the The government which is acquiring land
allocation of five blocks was cancelled. The must establish an independent organisation
allocation of the Pakri-Barwadih coal block to conduct SIAs or to ensure that they are
of the National Thermal Power Corporation conducted by organisations other than the
was not cancelled. body requiring land. This organisation will
determine the SIA fee. A notification for
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Monthly Policy Review – September 2014 PRS Legislative Research
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Monthly Policy Review – September 2014 PRS Legislative Research
were rendered worthless. Thus, the Act as a Christians. The Commission noted that these
whole was set aside. sections were discriminatory towards women.
Salient recommendations of the Commission
Law Commission submits interim report include:
on obsolete laws that warrant immediate
repeal At present, the Act states that upon the death
of the person, his father would inherit his
The Law Commission submitted its interim entire property, and mother gets no share.
report on „Obsolete Laws: Warranting Immediate The law must be amended to ensure that the
Repeal‟ to the Law Ministry on September 12, parents of the deceased person inherit the
2014.7 This is the first report of the study on property in equal.
„The Legal Enactments: Simplifications and
Streamlining‟ being undertaken by the Currently, the Act states that if the person‟s
Commission. father is dead, but mother and brother and
sisters are living, the mother and each living
In its report, the Law Commission noted that 253 sibling shall inherit the property in equal
laws, despite having been recommended for shares. This provision should be amended to
repeal in earlier reports, still exist in the statute state that if either of the parents is dead, the
books. The Commission has asked the other parent shall inherit the entire property.
concerned Ministries for their observations on
why these laws still exist. The Act provides for cases where the brother
or sister of the deceased person has also died,
The Law Commission also made some specific but the mother is alive. Under these
recommendations: circumstances, the child of the dead sibling
So far, 72 statutes have been found to be fit will inherit the sibling‟s share in the property
for repeal. This is because: (i) the subject along with the mother of the deceased. This
matter of the law in question is outdated, or provision should be amended to allow the
(ii) the law is no longer needed to govern that nieces and nephews of the deceased to inherit
subject, or (iii) there is newer law governing a share of the property, only if both of the
the same subject matter. parents of the deceased are also dead.
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Monthly Policy Review – September 2014 PRS Legislative Research
Capital account inflows increased in the first arrangements (such as budgeting process), (ii)
quarter, after a sharp fall in the previous quarter. suggest ways of meeting development
Capital account surplus stood at USD 20 billion, expenditure needs without compromising on
a fall of USD one billion from the first quarter of fiscal discipline, (iii) suggest a strategy to
2013-14. improve allocative efficiency, to meet reasonable
proportion of expenditure on services through
Retail inflation decreases to 7.8% in June user charges, etc, and (iv) consider any other
relevant issue concerning public expenditure
The Wholesale Price Index inflation fell from management.
5.2% in July 2014 to 3.7% in August 2014. This
is driven by a decline in food inflation and fuel The constitution of the Expenditure Management
inflation. The Consumer Price Index inflation Commission was announced in the Budget 2014-
decreased from 8% in July to 7.8% in August. 15.15 The Commission is expected to submit its
However, food inflation increased marginally interim report before the Budget 2015-16, and
from 9.1% to 9.2%. 10, 11 the final report before the Budget 2016-17.
IIP increases by 1% in July 2014 Task Forces for the FSLRC set up
The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) The Ministry of Finance has, upon the
increased by 1% in July 2014 (year-on-year), a recommendation of the Financial Sector
decline from 2% in June and 5% in May 2014.12 Regulatory Reforms Commission, set up four
Manufacturing production (weight 75%) Task Forces to assist the Ministry in preparing
declined 1% in July, after three months of the roadmap for the establishment of new
positive manufacturing production. agencies. The four Task Forces are
Task Force on Public Debt Management
RBI keeps repo rate unchanged Agency (Ch: Mr. Dhirendra Swarup)16
Saumya Vaishnava (saumya@prsindia.org) Task Force on Financial Sector Appellate
Tribunal (Ch: Justice N.K. Sodhi)17
In its Fourth bi-monthly Monetary Policy
Statement from September 30, 2014, the Reserve Task Force on Financial Data Management
Bank of India (RBI) took the following Centre (Ch: Dr. Subir Gokarn) 18
decisions: 13 Task Force on Resolution Corporation (Ch:
The repo rate was kept unchanged at 8%. Mr. M. Damodaran)19
The repo rate has been at 8% since January The Task Force will complete its task within one
28, 2014. year.
The liquidity provided under the export
credit refinance (ECR) facility was reduced Committee to examine unclaimed
from 32% of eligible export credit amounts remained in PPF, Post Office
outstanding to 15% from October 10, 2014. Saving Schemes, etc. constituted
RBI had previously reduced the ECR from
Joyita Ghose (joyita@prsindia.org)
50% to 32% in June 2014.
The Ministry of Finance has set up a Committee
to examine unclaimed amounts of Public
Provident Fund (PPF), Post Office Saving
Finance Schemes, etc., under the chairmanship of Dr.
Saumya Vaishnava (saumya@prsindia.org) H.R. Khan, Deputy Governor of the Reserve
Bank of India. 20
The Expenditure Management The Committee will: (i) estimate the amount
Commission lying unclaimed under various schemes with Post
The government has decided to constitute an Offices and Public Sector Banks, (ii) determine
Expenditure Management Commission under the the procedure to bring such unclaimed deposits
chairmanship of Dr. Bimal Jalan.14 The to a common pool, and (ii) determine how this
Commission will: (i) review major areas of unclaimed amount can be used to protect and
central government expenditure, the institutional further financial interests of senior citizens.
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Monthly Policy Review – September 2014 PRS Legislative Research
The constitution of the Commission was The Air (Prevention and Control of
announced in the Budget 2014-15. The Pollution) Act, 1981: The Act seeks to
Commission is to submit its report by December prevent and control water pollution and
31, 2014. establishes Boards to do so.
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986: The
SEBI notifies regulations for Real Estate Act provides for the protection and
Investment Trusts and Infrastructure improvement of the environment and gives
Investment Trusts the central government certain powers in
Joyita Ghose (joyita@prsindia.org) order to do so.
The objectives of the Committee are to: (i) assess
The Securities and Exchange Board of India the status of the implementation of these laws,
(SEBI) notified regulations for Real Estate (ii) examine judicial pronouncements relating to
Investment Trusts (REITs) and Infrastructure these laws, and (iii) recommend specific
Investment Trusts (InvITs) on September 26, amendments relating to these laws and draft the
2014.21 proposed amendments.
REITs are trusts which collect money from The Committee must submit its report by
investors to invest in real estate projects. The October 24, 2014.
revenue that is generated is distributed to their
investors. Similarly, InvITs are trusts which MoEF proposes changes to environmental
invest in infrastructure projects.
clearance norms for buildings and
Through these regulations, SEBI has specified township projects
the structure and size of these trusts, the
responsibilities of the various parties involved, The Ministry of Environment, Forests and
investment conditions and dividend policies. Climate Change has invited comments on draft
amendments to the environmental clearance
More information on these trusts is available in norms for buildings, construction projects, area
the PRS Monthly Policy Reviews for the months development projects, and townships. 23
of October 2013 and July 2014. Suggestions on the draft notification have been
invited by November 10, 2014.
The following changes have been proposed:
Environment Types of projects covered and definition
of built up area for building and
Joyita Ghose (joyita@prsindia.org) construction projects: At present, buildings
and construction projects with a built up area
High Level Committee to review five between 20,000 sq m and 1,50,000 sq m
environmental laws require environmental clearance from the
The Ministry of Environment, Forests and State Environment Impact Assessment
Climate Change has constituted a High Level Authority.24 Built up area is defined as built
Committee (Chair: Mr. T.S.R. Subramanian) to up area for covered construction, and the
review five environmental laws.22 These laws activity area for uncovered areas.
are: The draft notification: (i) proposes to change
Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972: The Act the definition of built up area to the built up
seeks to protect wildlife and control or covered area on all floors including the
poaching and illegal trade in wildlife. basement or other service areas, and (ii)
specifies the projects that will be covered.
The Water (Prevention and Control of These include residential and commercial
Pollution) Act, 1974: The Act seeks to buildings, office blocks, etc.
prevent and control water pollution and
establishes Boards to do so. Clearance from central EAC not required
in some cases: Certain infrastructure and
Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980: The Act manufacturing projects require clearance
provides for the conservation of forests and from the Expert Appraisal Committee of the
restricts activities in certain forests. central government in case they are wholly
or partially located within 10 km of the
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Monthly Policy Review – September 2014 PRS Legislative Research
-7-
Monthly Policy Review – September 2014 PRS Legislative Research
-8-
Monthly Policy Review – September 2014 PRS Legislative Research
Water level and storage capacity in major The new scheme will cover all 4,041 statutory
reservoirs towns as compared to the previous schemes that
covered only 790 cities. An amount of Rs.1,000
According to data from the Central Water crore has been provisioned for the urban
Commission, the total storage in 85 important component of DAY during 2014-15. Out of this,
reservoirs is 79% of the full reservoir level, at Rs.500 crore will be spent on skill development
123.26 Billion Cubic Meters 33. The water level of over 5,00,000 urban poor.
in the reservoirs is 93% of last year‟s storage.
Water stored in reservoirs during the monsoon The urban component of the scheme will focus
season is used to sow crops during the Rabi on the following:
sowing season (from November to April). Imparting skills with an expenditure of
Rs.15,000 to Rs.18,000 per person;
Promotion of self-employment through
setting up individual micro-enterprises and
Urban Development group enterprises with interest subsidies;
Prachee Mishra (prachee@prsindia.org) Training urban poor by imparting market
oriented skills through City Livelihood
Cabinet approves Swachh Bharat Centres;
Programme for Urban Areas Enabling urban poor form Self-Help Groups
The Cabinet approved the „Swachh Bharat for meeting financial and social needs with a
Mission for Urban Areas‟ on September 24, support of Rs. 10,000/- per each group;
2014. 34 The programme is proposed to be
implemented over a period of five years from Development of vendor markets; and
October 2, 2014 onwards in 4,041 statutory Construction of permanent shelters for urban
towns. A statutory town is any place with a homeless and provision of other essential
municipality, corporation, cantonment board or services.
notified town area committee, etc. The total
expected cost of the programme is Rs.62,009
crore, out of which the proposed central
assistance will be Rs.14,623 crore. External Affairs
The Programme will provide for the following: Anviti Chaturvedi (anviti@prsindia.org)
Individual household toilets,
State Visits to Japan, United States and
Community and public toilets, and
State Visits from Australia and China
Municipal Solid Waste Management. The Prime Minister visited Japan and United
The programme will be monitored by a National States, while the Australian Prime Minister and
Advisory and Review Committee, headed by the the Chinese President visited India in September.
Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development. The Details of these visits are given below:
Committee will also comprise of representatives Japan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited
of the Ministry of Finance and other concerned Japan from August 30 to September 3, 2014.
ministries and will release funds for the Japan promised $35 billion investment in India
programme. A High Powered Committee over five years. MoUs and other agreements
headed by the Chief Secretary at the State level were signed with regard to: (i) cooperation in
will steer the programme. defence, (ii) partnership between Varanasi and
Kyoto, (iii) loan for a coal-fired power plant in
Government announces new scheme for Uttar Pradesh, (iv) new and renewable energy,
uplift of urban, rural poor (v) infrastructure development, (vi) healthcare,
(vii) transport, and (viii) cooperation in
The central government announced the „Deen
humanities and social sciences research.36,37
Dayal Antyodaya Yojana (DAY)‟ on September
25, 2014. 35 The scheme is for the urban and United States, and the UNGA session: Prime
rural poor and proposes to increase their Minister Narendra Modi visited the United States
livelihood opportunities through skill from September 26-30, 2014.38 He attended the
development. 69th session of the United Nations General
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Monthly Policy Review – September 2014 PRS Legislative Research
Assembly in New York, and made a statement Better access to AYUSH services through
before the General Assembly.39 He also increase in number of AYUSH hospitals,
conducted bilateral meetings with the Secretary dispensaries, availability of drugs and
General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon, human resources;
Prime Minister of Nepal, Sushil Koirala, Prime
Improving availability of quality ayurvedic,
Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina,
siddha, unani and homeopathy drugs
President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa, and
through increase in the number of
Prime Minister of Israel, Benyamin Netanyahu
pharmacies and drug laboratories.
during the visit. He concluded the visit with a
meeting with the President of the United States,
Barack Obama.40
Australia: Prime Minister of Australia, Tony Women and Child Development
Abbott, visited India from September 4-5, 2014.
An agreement on nuclear energy was signed Apoorva Shankar (apoorva@prsindia.org)
between the two countries which allows for
supply of uranium from Australia, among other Draft guidelines governing adoption of
things. Three other MoUs were concluded children released
during the visit on cooperation in sports, water
The Ministry of Women and Child Development
resources management, and technical and
released draft guidelines governing adoption of
vocational education/ training.41, 42
children on September 4, 2014.45
China: Chinese President, Xi Jinping, visited
These guidelines seek to replace the Guidelines
India from September 17-19, 2014. During this
Governing Adoption of Children, 2011 that are
visit, China promised $20 billion investment in
currently in place. The Ministry states that the
India in the next five years. The establishment of
guidelines need to be replaced due to the slow
two Chinese industrial parks, one each in Gujarat
progress in the number of adoptions in the
and Maharashtra, was also announced. MoUs
country, unusual delays in processes, restrictive
and agreements were signed regarding bilateral
inter-country adoptions, etc.
economic engagement in the next five years,
cooperation in railways, exchanges among Key features of the draft guidelines include:
cultural institutions like museums, joint
Eligibility: Eligibility criteria for
production of films, and provincial (Gujarat-
Prospective Adoptive Parents (PAPs) have
Guangdong) and city-to city (Mumbai-Shanghai,
also been specified, such as: (i) the PAPs
Ahmedabad-Guangzhou) partnerships.43
should be physically and financially capable
and motivated to adopt a child (not included
under the existing guidelines), (ii) any PAP
can adopt a child, irrespective of their
Health marital status, but a single male cannot
Mandira Kala (mandira@prsindia.org) adopt a girl child, and (iii) under the existing
guidelines couples in live-in relationships
Cabinet approves the National AYUSH cannot adopt (no such provision exists in the
Mission new guidelines).
On September 15, 2014 the Cabinet approved the Procedures relating to children for
launch of the National AYUSH Mission.44 The adoption: Any orphan, abandoned or
proposed Mission seeks to support the state and surrendered child declared legally free for
union territory governments in providing adoption by the Child Welfare Committee, is
AYUSH health services. The mission will eligible for adoption. The guidelines specify
provide a higher allocation of resources for different procedures for adoption of orphan
vulnerable and far flung areas. or abandoned children, and surrendered
children. The role and procedures for
The core objectives of the mission are:
registration of specialised adoption agencies
Improvement of AYUSH education by are also specified.
increasing the number of educational
institutions; Adoption procedure for Indians (resident
and non-resident): The specialised
adoption agencies will prepare a home study
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Monthly Policy Review – September 2014 PRS Legislative Research
report based on which the PAPs shall be The following table highlights the new and old
declared eligible or not. Non-Resident rates of royalty for select minerals:
Indian PAPs will also be treated at par with
Table 4: Royalty rates for select minerals
Indians living in India in terms of priority
for adoption. Mineral Major users New rate Old rate
Rock
Procedure for inter-country adoption: A Phosphate
Fertiliser, Chemicals 6.0-12.5% 6.0-11.0%
child can only be available for inter-country Bauxite and
adoption if he cannot be placed with an Aluminium production 0.60% 0.50%
Laterite * #
Indian or Non Resident Indian. As per the
Chromite Ferro-alloys, Refractory 15.00% 10.00%
existing guidelines, inter-country adoption
can only be done by citizens or residents of Copper ore # Copper production 4.62% 4.20%
those countries that have ratified the Hague Dolomite Iron & steel, Cement,
75 63
Convention on Inter-Country Adoption, (Rs/tonne) Glass/Ceramic, Paint
1993. Gold ore # Gold production 3.3-4.0% 2.0-3.3%
Refractory/crucible, Rs 25-
Graphite 2.0-12.0%
Battery, Iron & steel 225/tonne
Home Affairs Iron ore Iron & steel, Cement 15.00% 10.00%
Lead ore # Lead production 8.5-14.5% 7.0-12.7%
Anviti Chaturvedi (anviti@prsindia.org)
Limestone Cement, Iron & steel,
80-90 63-72
(Rs/tonne) Chemicals, Fertiliser
Task force for expediting and monitoring Manganese Manganese alloys, Iron &
the citizenship and visa application 5.00% 4.20%
ore steel, Battery
process constituted Zinc ore # Zinc production 9.5-10.0% 8.0-8.4%
Ministry of Home Affairs approved constitution Note: Royalty rates expressed as percentage of sales price
of a Task Force to monitor and expedite unless indicated otherwise; * For aluminium production
within India only; # Royalty is based on London Metal
processing of applications for citizenship and Exchange or London Bullion Market benchmark prices;
long term visas on September 5, 2014.46 Sources: Ministry of Mines; Indian Bureau of Mines; PRS.
The Task Force is mandated to: (i) complete
processing of applications with complete
documentation within two months; (ii) follow up
in cases which are pending before state 1
Rajya Sabha Parliamentary Bulletin II, 15th September,
governments; (iii) monitor applications filed 2014,
online, and track their progress; and (iv) http://164.100.47.5/BulletinPart2/bulletin2_dates_files/15_09
coordinate long term visa related matters. _2014.pdf.
2
Manohar Lal Sharma vs. The Principal Secretary & Ors.,
Write Petition (CRL.) No. 120 of 2012, Supreme Court of
India, September 24, 2014,
http://judis.nic.in/supremecourt/imgs1.aspx?filename=41955.
Mining 3
The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land
Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Social Impact
Alok Rawat (alok@prsindia.org) Assessment and Consent) Rules, 2014, Ministry of Rural
Development, August 8, 2014,
http://dolr.nic.in/dolr/downloads/pdfs/RFCTLARR%20(SIA
Government notifies new rates of royalty %20and%20Consent)%20Rules%202014.pdf.
4
and dead rent for certain minerals The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land
Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013,
The government notified the revised rates of Ministry of Rural Development,
royalty and dead rent on major minerals (except http://www.prsindia.org/uploads/media/Recent%20Acts/LAR
R%20Act,%202013.pdf.
coal, lignite and sand) on September 1, 2014.47 5
Civil Appeal No. 8700/13, Sree Balaji Nagar Residential
A mine leaseholder has to pay a royalty linked to Association vs. State of Tamil Nadu and Ors, Judgment on
the mineral production. If no production is being September 10, 2014,
carried out, the leaseholder has to pay a dead rent http://judis.nic.in/supremecourt/imgs1.aspx?filename=41900.
6
linked to the area of the lease. The central Madras Bar Association vs. Union of India, Transferred
Case (C) No. 150 of 2006, Supreme Court of India,
government can revise the rates of royalty and September 25, 2014,
dead rent for major minerals every three years. http://supremecourtofindia.nic.in/outtoday/tc15006.pdf.
The last revision happened in 2009.48 7
““Obsolete Laws : Warranting Immediate Repeal”
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Monthly Policy Review – September 2014 PRS Legislative Research
22
(Interim Report), Law Commission of India, Report No. 248, No. 22-15/2014-IA.III, Ministry of Environment, Forests
September 12, 2014, and Climate Change, August 29, 2014,
http://lawcommissionofindia.nic.in/reports/Report248.pdf. http://envfor.nic.in/sites/default/files/OM-dtd-25.08.14.pdf.
8
“Sections 41 to 48 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925 – 23
S.O. 2319(E), Ministry of Environment, Forests, and
Proposed Reforms”, Law Commission of India, Report No. Climate Change, September 11, 2014,
247, September 12, 2014, http://envfor.nic.in/sites/default/files/SO2319(E)_Draft.pdf.
http://lawcommissionofindia.nic.in/reports/Report247.pdf. 24
S.O. 1533, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate
9
“Developments in India‟s Balance of Payments during the Change, September 14, 2006,
First Quarter (April-June) of 2014-15”, Reserve Bank of http://envfor.nic.in/legis/eia/so1533.pdf/
India Press Release, September 1, 2014, 25
“Draft: Road Transport and Safety Bill, 2014”, Ministry of
http://www.rbi.org.in/scripts/BS_PressReleaseDisplay.aspx?p Road Transport and Highways, September 13, 2014,
rid=31968#t1. http://morth.nic.in/writereaddata/linkimages/RTSB%20BILL
10
“Index Numbers of Wholesale Price in India (BASE: 2004- -5241785876.pdf.
05=100), Review for the Month of August, 2014”, Press 26
“Central Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Rules, 2014”,
Information Bureau, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, September 17,
September 15, 2014. 2014, http://morth.nic.in/showfile.asp?lid=1482.
11
“Consumer Price Index Numbers on Base 2010=100 for 27
“Empowering the Ministry of Road Transport and
Rural, Urban and Combined for the Month of August, 2014”, Highways to decide on mode of delivery and amendments in
Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Statistics and Model Concession Agreement in respect of national
Programme Implementation, September 12, 2014. highways projects”, Press Information Bureau, Cabinet
12
“Quick Estimates of Index of Industrial Production and Committee on Economic Affairs, August 27, 2014.
Use-Based Index for the Month of July, 2014 (BASE: 2004- 28
“India notifies farm subsidies to WTO, claims no breach of
05=100)”, Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Statistics limits”, Live Mint, September 11, 2014,
and Programme Implementation, September 12, 2014. http://www.livemint.com/Politics/pBjet28AanEFA2MKAO2
13
“Fourth Bi-Monthly Monetary Policy Statement, 2014-15”, 8mJ/India-notifies-farm-subsidies-to-WTO-claims-no-
Reserve Bank of India Press Release, September 30, 2014, breach-of-li.html; “India notifies WTO of $56 billion farm
http://rbi.org.in/scripts/BS_PressReleaseDisplay.aspx?prid=3 support in 2010-11”, Reuters, September 10, 2014,
2197. http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/09/10/india-agriculture-
14
“Constitution of Expenditure Management Commission”, wto-idINKBN0H51W820140910; “India‟s farm subsidy well
Ministry of Finance Resolution, September 4, 2014, below WTO cap of 10%”, Economic Times, September 11,
http://finmin.nic.in/the_ministry/dept_expenditure/notificatio 2014,
n/misc/Constitute_Expenditure_Management_Commission.p http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/finance/
df. indias-farm-subsidy-well-below-wto-cap-of-10-
15
“Prime Minister approves the constitution of the official/articleshow/42288827.cms.
Expenditure Management Commission; Dr Bimal Jalan, ex 29
PRS Legislative Research, Monthly Policy Review, August
Governor, RBI to head Commission”, Ministry of Finance, 2014,
Press Releases, August 13, 2014, http://www.prsindia.org/administrator/uploads/general/14096
http://finmin.nic.in/press_room/2014/Expenditure_Managem 40128~~MPR%20August%202014-%20Final.pdf.
ent_Commission13082014.pdf. 30
“120.27 Million Tonnes of Foodgrains Production
16
“Task Force on Public Debt Management Agency”, Office Estimated 1st Advance Estimates of Major Kharif Crops
Order, Ministry of Finance, September 30, 2014, Released”, Ministry of Agriculture, Press Information
http://finmin.nic.in/the_ministry/dept_eco_affairs/TaskForce Bureau, September 19, 2014.
PDMA.pdf. 31
“Kharif Sowing Crosses 1019 Lakh Hectare Mark”,
17
“Task Force on Financial Sector Appellate Tribunal”, Ministry of Agriculture, Press Information Bureau,
Office Order, Ministry of Finance, September 30, 2014, September 29, 2014.
http://finmin.nic.in/the_ministry/dept_eco_affairs/TaskForce 32
India Meteorological Department Weekly Press Release,
FSAT.pdf. September 26, 2014,
18
“Task Force on Financial Data Management Centre”, http://imd.gov.in/section/nhac/dynamic/weeklypress.pdf.
Office Order, Ministry of Finance, September 30, 2014, 33
“Storage Status of 85 Important Reservoirs of the Country
http://finmin.nic.in/the_ministry/dept_eco_affairs/TaskForce as on September 25, 2014”, Ministry of Water Resources,
FDMC.pdf. Press Information Bureau, 29 September 2014.
19
“Task Force on Resolution Corporation”, Office Order, 34
“Swachh Bharat Programme for Urban Areas”, Press
Ministry of Finance, September 30, 2014, Information Bureau, Ministry of Urban Development,
http://finmin.nic.in/the_ministry/dept_eco_affairs/TaskForce September 24, 2014.
RC.pdf. 35
„Government announces „Deen Dayal Upadhyaya
Antyodaya Yojana‟- DAY for uplift of urban, rural poor‟,
20
“Setting up of a Committee to examine un-claimed amount Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Housing and Urban
remained in PPF, Post Office Savings Schemes etc.”, Poverty Alleviation, September 25, 2014.
Ministry of Finance Notification, September 3, 2014, 36
Tokyo Declaration for India- Japan Special Strategic and
http://finmin.nic.in/the_ministry/dept_eco_affairs/budget/co Global Partnership, Ministry of External Affairs, September
mmittee_unclaimfund_PPF_POSS.pdf. 1, 2014, http://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-
21
No. LAD-NRO/GN/2014-15/11/1576, Securities and documents.htm?dtl/23965/Tokyo+Declaration+for+India++J
Exchange Board of India, September 26, 2014, apan+Special+Strategic+and+Global+Partnership .
http://www.sebi.gov.in/cms/sebi_data/pdffiles/29272_t.pdf 37
and No. LAD-NRO/GN/2014-15/10/1577, Securities and Factsheet: India and Japan- Partners for Common
Exchange Board of India, September 26, 2014, Development, Ministry of External Affairs, September 1,
http://www.sebi.gov.in/cms/sebi_data/attachdocs/141172249 2014, http://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-
5005.pdf. documents.htm?dtl/23967/Factsheet+India+and+Japan++Part
ners+for+Common+Development .
-12-
Monthly Policy Review – September 2014 PRS Legislative Research
38
Visit of Prime Minister to USA for UNGA and Bilateral
Summit (September 25- October 1, 2014), Ministry of
External Affairs, September 28, 2014,
http://www.mea.gov.in/outoging-visit-
detail.htm?24045/Visit+of+Prime+Minister+to+USA+for+U
NGA+and+Bilateral+Summit+September+25October+1+201
4.
39
English rendering of the Statement by Prime Minister, Shri
Narendra Modi at the General Debate of the 69th Session of
the United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister‟s
Office, Press Information Bureau, September 27, 2014.
40
Vision Statement for the U.S.- India Strategic Partnership
“Chalein Saath Saath: Forward We Go”, Prime Minister‟s
Office, Press Information Bureau, September 30, 2014.
41
Joint Statement on the State Visit of Prime Minister of
Australia to India, Ministry of External Affairs, September 5,
2014, http://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-
documents.htm?dtl/23976/Joint+Statement+on+the+State+Vi
sit+of+Prime+Minister+of+Australia+to+India .
42
MoUs/Agreements signed during the visit of Prime
Minister of Australia to India (4-5 September, 2014),
Ministry of External Affairs, September 5, 2014,
http://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-
documents.htm?dtl/23975/MOUsAgreements+signed+during
+the+visit+of+Prime+Minister+of+Australia+to+India+45+S
eptember+2014 .
43
Joint Statement between the Republic of India and the
People‟s Republic of China on Building a Closer
Developmental Relationship, Ministry of External Affairs,
September 19, 2014, http://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-
documents.htm?dtl/24022/Joint+Statement+between+the+Re
public+of+India+and+the+Peoples+Republic+of+China+on+
Building+a+Closer+Developmental+Partnership .
44
Launching of National AYUSH Mission, Cabinet, Press
Information Bureau, September 15, 2014.
45
“Draft Guidelines Governing Adoption of Children, 2014”,
Ministry of Women and Child Development, September 4,
2014.
46
“Task Force to Monitor and Expedite the Processing of
Citizenship and Long Term Visa Applications”, Ministry of
Home Affairs, Press Information Bureau, September 5, 2014.
47
Notification G.S.R.630(E), Ministry of Mines, Gazette of
India, September 1, 2014,
http://www.egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2014/160787.pdf.
48
“New Rates of Royalty & Deadrents-Press Release 17-08-
2009”, Ministry of Mines, August 17, 2009,
http://mines.nic.in/writereaddata/Contentlinks/55d312ae36db
4fd2b2108964879f5036.pdf.
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INDIA - AUSTRALIA
WHITE REVOLUTION
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In 2012 approx 8 lakh people committed suicide -- 2.5 lakh were indians (1.5 lakh
men and 1 lakh women)
There are indications that for each adult who die of suicide, more than 20 attempt
it, the report says
The report underlines that suicides are “preventable” -- so our government needs to
make an implement a coordinated plan to prevent suicide
The new Companies Act also provides for certain classes of companies to establish a
vigil mechanism for their directors and employees
SEBI will now incorporate a provision in this regard in its new Corporate Governance
Code for listed firms.
Note : read Companies Act and Whistleblower protection Bill
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Rajanomics
Rajan has said that political stability, improved business and investment climate would
bring back GDP growth rate to above 7%
On SC judgment over coal block allocation Rajan said that it might bring uncertainty in
near future but would be a good judgment in long term
On inflation he said that supply side inflation is not under RBI's control, fiscal and CAD
would be under control in next financial year also
On banking he said that NBFC sectors should be promoted to complement baking
sector and he will come out with framework for NBFCs
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Also, he said wilful defaulter tag is powerful weapon in the hands of bank to prevent
such persons or groups from credit power
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Waterways
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Policy introduced by Merkel that investment in solar or wind energy will fetch you
guaranteed return
Grid operator has a legal obligation to connect the installation and to accept whenever it
is produced
Now close to 5 million and 6% of Germans are energy producers
However there are allegations that large scale renewable energy would require grid,
installations, storage and backup infrastructure which would be expensive
Indian Context
India has capacity of 13% share of its energy production however only 6% of energy
share is contributed by solar and wind energy
German experience shows that conversion is not that a bad bet especially the amount of
employment generated would compensate for loss in GDP, which is hardly .1-.15%
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Nehru in NEWS
Obvious points
Smart Cities
cleaning rivers
Renewable energy
vocational training
and obviously High technology and Manufacturing sector
Concept
People who install grid connected solar energy systems in their homes can use the
required solar energy that they harness and export the rest to the grid
In case of shortfall they can import energy from the grid
Basis
Solar Energy Policy 2012, the State Government announced solar net meters for
domestic consumers
What is needed?
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Need to generate awareness about these meters so more people go for this option
some arguments --
Against
Theoretically, the acceptance of such a view as affecting the independence of the judiciary
would mean actively disincentivising judges from adjudicating cases involving politicians, where
free and fair justice would be most required. The speculative insinuations made simply owing to
a judge hearing such a case, irrespective of the validity of judicial reasoning employed, have the
pernicious effect of tarnishing a judge’s reputation.
For
“Judicial afternoons and evenings are sensitive phases, the incumbent being bothered about
post-retiral prospects. The Executive plays upon this weakness to bend the integrity or buy the
partiality of the elderly brethren.”
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Ebola
For details search previous UPSC DNA articles
Issue dealt in this article is that due to poor healthcare facilities in the nations having
major Ebola outbreak people are losing their faith in medical services and are not
approaching medical services
Because of which large number cases are going untraced which can be twice or thrice
of detected cases
However the good thing is that infection can be transmitted only through fluid exchange
as opposed to SARS or H1N1 influenza
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Corporate investment in India is moving towards short term high profit investment means
of investing in financial securities
RBI data shows that investment in industrial securities and physical assets have
declined sharply which can be attributed to the slow growth of industrial sector
key reason for such a tendency is that
Corporates have to maintain portfolio balance which is tough with investing in
industrial sector
further cost of credit is also high
Also, low risk appetite of the industrial securities and financial asset
Another report suggests a sharp decline in the asset growth rate of corporate sector
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Few reports have come up and one of the reports suggested that 60 per cent of the
people had a Body Mass Index (BMI) lower than the critical value of 18.5 in a closed
garden
Workers are demanding appropriate raise in the wages
Related facts
According to WHO recommendations, any community that has more than 40 per cent of
its members with BMI levels below 18.5 should be considered as “a starving
community”
Soviet Union was the main buyer but even a quarter century after its collapse Tea
estates are a profitable business ( Personal opinion : I don't understand this argument ,
How will Collapse of Soviet Union lead to decline of tea exports? People wont stop
drinking tea because they are outside soviet --any Gs-today reader can explain this to
us????)
The workers are mandated to get a daily wage of just Rs.95 — much less than the daily
agricultural wage — on condition that the garden owners provide facilities such as
housing, education and health care
SCO Summit
Points to note:
DIGITAL LOCKER
Concept :
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We need to give a lot of information and also supporting documents, which are inform of
photocopy of originals usually attested by a Gazetted Officer. Moreover various procedures
require is to get the original documents verified at some point of time. This is a lengthy process
The ‘digital locker’ -- an online repository for all certificates and documents
issued by the govt
Documents will be hosted over a cloud to be maintained by the govt
The project will address the issue of counterfeiting and also save on the cost
incurred in storing and maintaining physical documents
The govt will invite ideas through MyGov to build the architecture for the project
The issues of privacy and hacking fears remain key areas of concern
The Locker aspect (i.e. it will have to be Hack proof -- an extremely difficult task ) of digital
locker will have to addressed
Current Practice:
Problem
Candidates come to know that voters of which are have voted for which candidate
predominantly , thus exposing the voters to possible intimidations and also there is a chance
that voters may exercise his right to vote under a fear or against his will
Solution?
CJI Lodha has suggested while a hearing a PIL petition that we can use totalisers (mix votes
from all polling stations, instead of counting separately)can be used for counting votes to
prevent intimidation of voters by candidates
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Negative effects
It emits huge amount of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide and also large
amount of particulate matters which effects human health
Many states have already banned this practice but NGT has appealed to draft a national
policy especially for the states where this practice has been used uninterruptedly
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Points of confrontation
India's non signatory status of CTBT
India seeking to right to reprocess spent fuel with providing assurance of using it
only for peaceful purposes
Thirdly Japan wants India's acceptance of what India has agreed to with IAEA
Japan provide 400 MT of special steel Reactor pressure Vessels, for the Westinghouse,
GE and Areva nuclear power plants so good terms with Japan on nuclear issue
is necessary
New Equations
Modi's upcoming high profile meetings with Xi jinping and Obama will also have nuclear
issue into focus
Further, US payed a crucial role in the NSG waiver for India in 2008 which opened the
gates for negotiations with France, US and Russia for th next generation LWR and
PHWR
Further Japan and Australia will bring back Look East policy of Narsimha Rao into radar
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Even the Lokpal act provides for the appointment of director of CBI in the hand of
collegium and centrality of the Lokpal
Singh conclude by saying that autonomy and freedom from extraneous consideration
requires removal of sec 4(2) first and clearly laying down the role, jurisdiction and legal
powers of CBI
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Scottish Referendum
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Rajanomics
RBI preferred to maintain status quo in the economic policy review
All indicators such as inflation, CAD foreign currency reserves are in a healthy position
However, the thing to worry them is lowering of credit offtake which is forcing banks to
go for lower deposit rates, in turn affecting senior citizens who live off interest incomes
RBI put emphasis over the fact that to maintain the GDP growth rate, resumption in
investment activity is necessary
Other important event required are completion of stalled projects and clearing off
disinvestment proceeds smoothly
J-PAL conducted experiments over MNREGA in Bihar, Schools in Haryana, smart cards
in AP and others
Indian govt are very cooperative while going for such experiments
State govts are not only allowing such experiments but even supporting financially and
are willing to change policies as per the result of the experiment
Job of public servant is enormous and there are lapses because of these enormities,
govt have to accept this first; on gnd level programmes are totally different from what
they are at paper level
Research suggests that many of RTE provisions are failing, especially the conditions
made over private schools is too tough for many of them to fulfill and many of them have
put down their shutters
Similarly, PDS system is ignoring the nutritional requirements of people failing whole
purpose and also the diesel subsidy is indirectly helping non-poors in place of poors
IR
Hongkong protest
'Occupy Central' is a movement started to pressurise the PRC Government into granting
universal suffrage and civil nomination in Hong Kong’s electoral reform in 2017 as
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promised under art 45 of Hongkong Basic law or its constitution since 1997
It was a non violent, peaceful, civil disobedience which later grown aggressive with the
increase in number of participating students
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Why?
To marry Jihadis
To have their children
To fight alongside them
Feeling of adventure
romantic feeling of war and warrior
brainwash by recruitors
at times push factors like low respect or low sense of self worth in their home countries
also leads to such steps as they feel they will be highly respected in Syria and will find
their 'true value'
some are naive enough to believe that this is an Humanitarian exercise
Bombay High Court recently held that government authorities cannot compel a citizen to
disclose her religion
It also declared that every individual has a right to claim she does not belong to any religion
moreover,
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1. no state-established religion
2. state is governed on secular, rather than religious, principles.
3. people enjoy freedom of religion and conscience
4. there is no discrimination on religious grounds in state action.
How is Indian Secularism Different from other countries (we know this but still lets see!)
US Supreme Court disallowed the displaying of the Ten Commandments in county court
houses
In India, it is normal for inaugurations of government buildings to be preceded by the
breaking of a coconut and other rituals identified with Hinduism.
Satyanarayan pujas are routinely conducted in government offices, including courts and
police stations.
To be launched on october 3
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Scenario in Afghanistan
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This is an insightful article -- we advise you to please read it in full. CLICK HERE
UN-ESCAP report
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Note: Sorry folks, pending DNA's will be uploaded soon. On few days li
ke Sunday, there are hardly any news worth covering, so we skipped tho
se. Any other relevant article and news will be covered soon. Friends,
due to shortage of time, other sections of GS-today is hard to contin
ue. We will try to resume them soon. Any help is welcome.
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This visit positive outcome was that it showed pragmatism and scope for future collaboration,
not as master slave relationship but on equal footing
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fourth stage of PSLV but testing of cryogenic engine is still not done for starting, shutting
down and restarting
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Modi's lifetime Indian visa to PIOs and OCIs, but this initiative is infructuous until
problem regarding outdated and archaic laws and rules are first solved
Issues relating to immigration, nationality, marriage, divorce, forced marriages, inter-
parental child removal, spousal maintenance, division of matrimonial property, inter-
country adoptions, succession and inheritance, tenancy of Indian property and
surrogacy arrangements have to be dealt if large chunk of Indians start returning to their
homeland
Indian laws dealing with these are five decade old and need amendments to match with
international practices
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Fracking is a hydraulic fracturing method to extract natural gas from the ground ( used
extensively for Shale gas extraction in US)
Methane Gas ( a GHG ) is emitted due to this process
In March - Obama Administration has released a White Paper on 'Strategy to Reduce
Methane Emission'
Anti-fracking environmentalists have put methane leakage near the top of the list of their
reasons that fracking should be banned altogether.
A 50 per cent reduction in methane emissions is the equivalent to closing 90 coal-fired
power plants, according to the Environmental Defense Fund.
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Note: Sunday newspaper was not having any important article as per UPS
C candidate is concerned, so we left yesterday. Sorry for inconvenienc
e
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President Mohamed Nasheed claimed that up to 200 Maldivians were fighting for Islamic
State (IS) in Iraq and Syria (Total Population of Maldives is 330,000)
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joint communique issued -- the two countries said the freedom of navigation in the East
Sea/South China Sea should not be impeded
“They called for cooperation in ensuring security of sea lanes, maritime security,
combating piracy and conducting search and rescue operations,” the joint communique
said
called for collective commitment of the parties concerned to abide by and implement the
2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea
7 agreements signed including one on enhanced cooperation in oil sector
India’s waterways could contribute at least two per cent to the country’s GDP
He said the government was planning to introduce sea-planes, water buses, hovercrafts
and floating hotels to connect coastal towns to boost waterway tourism. “We will turn all
water bodies… dams, lakes etc. to water ports [like airports],” he said.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu presided over historic first ever paper-less
eCabinet meeting
Ministers carried iPads with eCabinet app in their hands instead of bundles of files and
papers they used to do earlier
For the eCabinet, a new file-sharing system has been put in place using the FileCloud
tool
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Selection body is large such that democratic principles can be taken into account
Some IR
Ukraine ratifies landmark EU pact
Ukraine ratified deal with European Parliament, seen as first step toward membership to
28 member Eu
Simultaneously Ukrainian parliament has agreed to provide three year self rule to rebel
held regions of East Ukraine
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Sakshi Guidelines (2004) stipulate that in cases concerning children, the defence
lawyer must first submit the questions in writing to the judge, and the judge, at his/her
discretion, ask only those questions which are relevant to the incident. But these
guidelines are seldom followed.
Modi in his Independence Day speech urged each Member of Parliament to make one
village of his or her constituency a ‘model village’ by 2016.
The author talks about the problems that are faced in programmes like PURA or Model Village
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Hence that author suggests that we should focus on Model Village Clusters instead
HOW? -- " similar to what was done in Chitrakoot in Madhya Pradesh. In this
approach, for 100 or so villages in each tehsil , a central town with a population of
about 50,000 will be created with urban facilities. This town will accommodate
teachers, doctors, agricultural extension workers, agro-industries, etc. These will
be created on the lines of Special Economic Zones — with their own modern rules
on land, labour, transport, education, health, etc. The town will be managed by
rural communities that it will be serving along with representatives of the urban
community in the new town. The town’s infrastructure will be developed along
the principles of sound urban development before the inflow of residents begins."
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Uneven recovery
Some stats and one should draw conclusions by him/herself
WPI down to 3.7%, minima of last five years
Retail price index is still 7.8%, just touching the upper limit decided by RBI
Industrial output growth down to .5%, five month low
Though automobile sector is giving mixed responses
Conclusions drawn by The Hindu
Efforts by RBI to attract investor not working(lowering interest rates)
Inflation downturn might be because of good show by monsoon in later half or
decline in global oil prices
Real test of economy will be on arrival of festival seasons later this year
Policy review
MH17 crisis passengers were mostly from Netherland but Netherland is unable to take
any tough measures against Russia because Netherland is dependent on Russian
imports
Similar is the case with most of the European nations, most of them have negative BoP
with Russia
Dutches are making policy review and so is other European nations
EU has shown resilience on going militarily, rather they preferred sanctions and other
such measures to limit Russian adventure in Ukraine
However, there is growing case of right wing national parties coming to power in
European countries who are supporting Putin styles government
The good thing is twice-destroyed Europe preferred to go with German led peaceful
sanction on Russia rather on going militarily
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Toilet problems
Lack of toilet made teacher to lock them exclusively for their uses
Students going home for bio break often donot return and also there are large number of
cases students mess things in class and get punished
Bureaucrats of many states have even filed affidavit of completion of toilets as per RTE
norm, but the problem is with maintenance which is responsibility of MDWS
Providing water supply to these toilets for ensuring their working is also a problem
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Whistle-blowing in India
What has happened?
Prashant Bhushan submitted the document against the CBI chief in the form of an
affidavit in the on-going investigations into the 2G scam
A secret informer who earlier gave the copy of the entry registers of the official
residence of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director, exposing his meetings
with 2G spectrum scam accused
SC has now asked for the identity of this secret informer in a sealed cover
The court gave the justification that court rules obligate every person filing an affidavit to
disclose the source of his/her information
Judicial Precedent
In 1998, a bench headed by J.S. Verma had not asked for the source of the 'Jain
diary' in the Hawala case and yet ordered an enquiry
Related ACT
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Scotland Referendum
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Solution
Despite the act there has been very nominal changes in the number of undertrials
To re-articulate what is normatively acceptable lenght of pretrial detention may be a
solution but that too have its negative side
Since marginalised group is represented in such a proportion so there is a need to re-
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look at the Criminal Justice system and provide centrally sponsor public defender
programme to limit this
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For details over Revenue sharing and Production sharing ... Hit me
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MOM
First asian nation (2012 China attempted and failed, 1998 Japan attempted and failed)
done in maiden attempt
cheapest interplanetary mission ever - 450 crore ( 4 rs per person of india )
time taken 10 months
IRNSS
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Commercial Surrogacy
social activists are demanding that it should be regulated like organ donation
Issues involved
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report authored by Lord Nicholas Stern sounds as optimistic as his landmark 2006
study. It is possible to simultaneously prevent climate change and to augment economic
growth
basically the report talks about sustainable development in terms of figures and facts
we can use the name of this report to add weight to our answers
NOTE : some articles which are evolving daily are published only when some substantial
event has happened, if we skip some article its mostly for the reason to cover it in detail
in later DNAs. We try to keep up , in case we forget some article please point it out. Lets
all keep making efforts.
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NOTE: Sorry for the delay, it was due to some unavoidable reason. We w
ill post rest of the pending newspaper articles soon. Further, PIB has
published reports of each ministeries first 100 days working. Go thro
ugh it, especially if you are looking after writing mains.
Where SC is wrong?
Firstly in India, admission of evidences from illegal sources is acceptable unlike USA
Secondly, according to SC Rules act, it is not necessary to reveal the person identity
rather just checking authenticity of the evidence would suffice
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Current government’s focus on increasing domestic manufacturing and creation of need jobs,
recent activity like “Make in India” offers good opportunity for MSME sector to grow. GoI needs
1/2
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to ensure that they are not being swayed away in competition. As this sector provides
employment to 8 cr people, second largest after Agriculture.
Delhi Resolution
3rd meeting of SAARC cultural ministers convened in New Delhi came out with following
Bamiyan has been selected as the cultural capital of SAARC nation for a yr starting
2015 and next year this position will be transfered to Dhaka
All SAARC nations have agreed for India's initiative of Project Mausam(Google it) for
developing maritime routes with Arab nations
Literatures of the region to be translated in all SAARC nations languages to promote
them in the region
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Govt is deliberating on the idea of allowing induction of the executive of a private firm into
government through the lateral entry process
Civil servants are stability-oriented so they cant respond to dynamic social and
technological changes as fast as they should
People who have worked in private sector have faced immense competition and are
efficiency oriented -- this can help our government structures
Lateral entry can be 'need based' i.e. people can be recruited based on what type of
people are needed rather than current system in which people have to be appointed
from a current pool of available civil servants
might dampen the Morale of the civil servants as they might have to face bosses who
are from outside civil services
in extreme cases there can be chances of excessive influence of business interests in
govt activities
implications for civil services neutrality
excessive focus on efficiency might lead to compromise on equity
Govt schemes aim at social change and helping the marginalized rather than merely
attaining efficiency
there is no defined process for lateral entry , hence the recruitment is mostly ad-hoc and
done by political executive . This leads to other civil servants perceive the lateral entrant
as the politician's agent -- this diminishes any room for cooperation --if any!
2nd ARC, 6th CPC (central pay commsion) -- though both have prescribed certain cautions too.
Conclusion
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though induction of private professionals in positions like secretaries to govt have been resisted
by the civil servants but in certain areas they have been welcomed -- these include
Bagore ki Haveli
History
It was handed over to the West Zone Cultural Centre (under the Ministry of Culture) in 1986
What it is?
Its a museum of puppets and is an attempt to preserve the dying art of puppetry in India
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Harvard report on climate change suggests that due to increasing CO2 staple
foods are being stripped of important nutrients
Amid all those paranoiac stats, some suggestion author has made are:
supporting small holder farmers and reclaiming degraded lands as well as
fortifying staple foods with iron and zinc
Good governance funda of multiple actor system with equal roles for state,
market and civil society
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the inflamed passions in the wake of the incident were widely cultivated by the Indian
revolutionary organisation, the Ghadar Party, to rally support for its aims
In a number of meetings ranging from California in 1914 to the Indian diaspora,
prominent Ghadarites including Barkatullah, Tarak Nath Das, and Sohan Singh used
the incident as a rallying point to recruit members for the Ghadar movement
Note : Ghadar Party is already important this year, this makes NRI/PIOs also important
(although Ghadar came in Prelims )
It has become “a fashion” in recent years for trial courts to convict those accused in criminal
cases on the moral grounds and individual perceptions of the presiding officers rather than
strictly on the sound legal principles,--- Madras High Court Bench
To understand this statement lets take a look at the case in background of which this observation was made
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Netherlands = literal meaning = 'low country' -- as only 50% of the country is one meter
or more above sea level
They have constant danger of flooding due to their low topography and have protected
themselves so far using an elaborate system of dikes
Now they have also deployed 'flood simulation softwares' and have strengthened their
barriers to flood by strengthening the permanent barriers and also having provision of
'off the shelf' barriers that can be deployed in matter of hours
Further they are also experimenting with houses that float on water and an effective
early warning system has been installed
The above noted points from the Dutch Lesson of flood management can prove effective
in managing disasters (and also writing answers in UPSC) as they are a judicious mix of
'hard' and 'soft' solutions.
Possible explanation
-uneven rates of use of toilets even after they have been built ( note 12th FYP emphases on
'Behavior Change Communication' i.e. our sanitation problems are as Behavioral as they are
infrastructural)
- usage of toilets was substantially lower among men than among women
-finally non-usage of toilets is 'one of the many' factors of bad health - others include - lack of
safe drinking water, food habits, general hygiene etc. etc.
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The total green-rated built-up area is not even three per cent of the built-up area in the country.
Center for science and environment (CSE) has published a report report says --- the claims
that buildings rated by the IGBC and GRIHA save 30-50 per cent energy and 20-30 per cent
water was not supported by data or evidence of compliance and performance of each rated
building.
Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) - a non gov , not for profit organisation which
awards silver, gold and platinum ratings, under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design (LEED) green-rating programme
GRIHA - India adopted the Green-rated Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) as the
national rating system for buildings in 2007
One more foreign visit : Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird is coming
Why?
Background!
Canadian Parliament endorsed helping US in strikes on IS targets recently so its natural that
'anti-terrorism' measures will be high on his agenda
nuclear energy, space cooperation as well as the CEPA agreement (economic partnership
agreement)
John Baird says fighting terrorism is the ‘biggest test of our generation.’
INFLATION TARGETING
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has given green signal for major overhaul of monetary
policy in which centre will set inflation targets for RBI to achieve
Inflation controlling will be RBI's top priority
This is different from Urjit R. Patel, the committee which had recommended that the
monetary policy decision-making should be vested with a monetary policy committee,
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Dengue Control
Dengue cases have been rising through out the South Asia region, with 10 11 South
Asian countries have dengue as endemic
Good news is that deaths due to dengue have decline but the cases have grown
exponentially
Reason for growth in cases are global warming, unplanned globalisation, consumerism,
poor solid waste management, population explosion and population movement without
adequate measures to prevent vector breeding
Accumulation of non biodegradable products provide adequate ground for vector
breeding
Dhaka declaration made on vector borne diseases which encourages "whole of
government" approach
Community empowerment is also necessary for control of dengue and other vector
borne diseases
Community can be involved in preventing accumulation of material which are habitat for
vector breeding
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Also basic precautions can help them in preventing them from getting infected
Vaccines for dengue control are in their testing phase and will be available very soon
Patrick Madiano
French author awarded nobel, has been largely unknown because of his shyness to
media
Most of his works are in french language and very few of them have been translated yet
His characters has remained always mysterious and this has led to the origin of french
term "modianesque" used to describe mysterious person or character
Nobel committee has defended their choice by saying that it is their work bring the
unknown diamond hidden from purview of the world
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MOM
First asian nation (2012 China attempted and failed, 1998 Japan attempted and failed)
done in maiden attempt
cheapest interplanetary mission ever - 450 crore ( 4 rs per person of india )
time taken 10 months
IRNSS
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Commercial Surrogacy
social activists are demanding that it should be regulated like organ donation
Issues involved
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report authored by Lord Nicholas Stern sounds as optimistic as his landmark 2006
study. It is possible to simultaneously prevent climate change and to augment economic
growth
basically the report talks about sustainable development in terms of figures and facts
we can use the name of this report to add weight to our answers
NOTE : some articles which are evolving daily are published only when some substantial
event has happened, if we skip some article its mostly for the reason to cover it in detail
in later DNAs. We try to keep up , in case we forget some article please point it out. Lets
all keep making efforts.
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NOTE: Sorry for the delay, it was due to some unavoidable reason. We w
ill post rest of the pending newspaper articles soon. Further, PIB has
published reports of each ministeries first 100 days working. Go thro
ugh it, especially if you are looking after writing mains.
Where SC is wrong?
Firstly in India, admission of evidences from illegal sources is acceptable unlike USA
Secondly, according to SC Rules act, it is not necessary to reveal the person identity
rather just checking authenticity of the evidence would suffice
1/2
GS-TODAY
Developing Perspective for UPSC
http://www.gs-today.com
2/2
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Current government’s focus on increasing domestic manufacturing and creation of need jobs,
recent activity like “Make in India” offers good opportunity for MSME sector to grow. GoI needs
1/2
GS-TODAY
Developing Perspective for UPSC
http://www.gs-today.com
to ensure that they are not being swayed away in competition. As this sector provides
employment to 8 cr people, second largest after Agriculture.
Delhi Resolution
3rd meeting of SAARC cultural ministers convened in New Delhi came out with following
Bamiyan has been selected as the cultural capital of SAARC nation for a yr starting
2015 and next year this position will be transfered to Dhaka
All SAARC nations have agreed for India's initiative of Project Mausam(Google it) for
developing maritime routes with Arab nations
Literatures of the region to be translated in all SAARC nations languages to promote
them in the region
2/2
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GS-TODAY
Developing Perspective for UPSC
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Current government’s focus on increasing domestic manufacturing and creation of need jobs,
recent activity like “Make in India” offers good opportunity for MSME sector to grow. GoI needs
1/2
GS-TODAY
Developing Perspective for UPSC
http://www.gs-today.com
to ensure that they are not being swayed away in competition. As this sector provides
employment to 8 cr people, second largest after Agriculture.
Delhi Resolution
3rd meeting of SAARC cultural ministers convened in New Delhi came out with following
Bamiyan has been selected as the cultural capital of SAARC nation for a yr starting
2015 and next year this position will be transfered to Dhaka
All SAARC nations have agreed for India's initiative of Project Mausam(Google it) for
developing maritime routes with Arab nations
Literatures of the region to be translated in all SAARC nations languages to promote
them in the region
2/2
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GS-TODAY
Developing Perspective for UPSC
http://www.gs-today.com
the inflamed passions in the wake of the incident were widely cultivated by the Indian
revolutionary organisation, the Ghadar Party, to rally support for its aims
In a number of meetings ranging from California in 1914 to the Indian diaspora,
prominent Ghadarites including Barkatullah, Tarak Nath Das, and Sohan Singh used
the incident as a rallying point to recruit members for the Ghadar movement
Note : Ghadar Party is already important this year, this makes NRI/PIOs also important
(although Ghadar came in Prelims )
It has become “a fashion” in recent years for trial courts to convict those accused in criminal
cases on the moral grounds and individual perceptions of the presiding officers rather than
strictly on the sound legal principles,--- Madras High Court Bench
To understand this statement lets take a look at the case in background of which this observation was made
1/2
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2/2
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